The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee voted Thursday to advance the nomination of Dr. Erica Schwartz to serve as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The 54-year-old physician and lawyer has previously served as deputy surgeon general and held a leadership position at the U.S. Coast Guard. If confirmed by the full Senate, she would become the 22nd CDC director.
The committee’s near party-line vote followed a contentious hearing earlier this month where senators questioned whether Schwartz would resist directives from Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that lacked scientific support. Committee Chairman Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., said he spoke with Schwartz after the hearing and expressed confidence in her ability to “stand against those who do not” know what they are doing. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., voted against the nomination, arguing that the administration needs appointees willing to challenge anti-science positions and conspiracy theories.
Public health organizations have raised concerns about Schwartz’s responses during her confirmation hearing. The National Public Health Coalition said senators should require written commitments from her on scientific independence and vaccine policy. At the hearing, Schwartz pledged to “never betray the science” but declined to commit to reversing certain agency actions, including a CDC webpage suggesting a link between childhood vaccines and autism. She also said she was unaware that vaccination promotion and smoking prevention programs had been curtailed.
The CDC has faced significant institutional challenges following the Trump administration’s return to office. The agency has lost more than 3,000 employees, representing more than one-quarter of its workforce, with morale declining as multiple temporary leaders have cycled through. Dr. Daniel Jernigan, a former top CDC official, warned that without Schwartz’s confirmation, the agency would face a “continued rudderless journey.” Dr. Georges Benjamin of the American Public Health Association said Schwartz could potentially rebuild the depleted command structure, though he disagreed with some of her testimony.
Schwartz is the third Trump nominee for the CDC director position in 18 months. Her nomination comes as the administration works to fill multiple federal health agency leadership positions, including surgeon general and FDA commissioner.
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